Devotional 2-23-13

He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat. -- Mark 5:41-43.

I have started a food and clothing pantry at HHS to serve any student or family in need. I have spent years watching how quickly kids run from the bus to the cafeteria every Monday morning because they are so hungry from eating very little over the weekend and on Friday's they seem to reach for double servings. I have even witnessed kids stealing food from the cafeteria and am convinced it is due to lack of food in the homes. I have many humbling stories to tell about teenagers who are suffering from hunger, certainly a basic need that we all take for granted. It shouldn't be this way. Hunger should not exist at Huntington High School.

Most of the food in my pantry comes from the Huntington Food Bank. Just recently a local church heard about us and sent us eight bags of items that will probably be handed out to students by the end of the week. This church suggested that I contact other churches or Sunday School classes in the area that might be looking for a project.

I'm contacting you to see if your group could use a worthwhile project such as the pantry.

This was recently sent to me by a friend who is a very dedicated teacher at Huntington High School. Sadly, it could have been sent from any number of schools across our country.

The fact that Jesus told Jairus and his wife to give their daughter something to eat informs me that Jesus, fully human, understands our physical needs. In Mark 6, he told his disciples, "You give them something to eat," after they suggested he dismiss the 5000 so they could go into the village to get food for themselves.

Our church (Johnson Memorial UMC) started a back pack ministry last fall. Food for the weekend is given to ten children at a local elementary school every Friday. You can find out more about this ministry by visiting its Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/PackForTheFuture?ref=ts&fref=ts

There has been a lot written about how we should conduct ourselves during Lent. Should we give up something, or should we do something positive? I am working on giving up old judgements--why do they have children when they can't feed them?--and trying to be part of the solution. Back pack ministries are springing up at many schools. There is probably one near you.

Anita Gardner Farrell